Stalemate in U18s' clash with United
Liverpool U18s played out a 0-0 draw against Manchester United on Friday evening and perhaps should have returned with all three points from a keenly-fought league contest at Altrincham FC.
For a meeting with rivals that matters at whichever level it is played, Neil Critchley had named exactly the same starting XI that had been authoritative and creative in overcoming Stoke City 2-0 at the Academy in Kirkby last weekend.
An open and confident start by both sides did not produce much in the way of promising opportunities. Ryan Kent was almost released free on goal, though, when Axel Tuanzebe took an uncertain touch - but the defender recovered at the cost of a corner.
Seconds later, Pedro Chirivella collected possession inside the left channel around 35 yards out and drifted a sublime cross-field pass into the run of Kristof Polgar. Perhaps surprised by the sudden space afforded to him at close range, the Hungarian could not control the ball adequately.
Kent linked neatly with Sam Hart at a rapid pace along the left flank with five minutes remaining in the first half, and United could not sufficiently clear their territory when his cross was delivered. Jake Brimmer strode onto it but thrashed an effort high over the crossbar.
Sergi Canos was a regular source of ingenuity for the young Reds from kick-off and that continued from the resumption in the second period. When the Spaniard surged along the right and knocked a delivery across the area, however, no teammate was there to capitalise.
The hosts had largely been restricted to ambitious attempts from long range until the 55th minute. Then, Andrew Firth was forced into an important, two-handed save to palm out a shot by Callum Gribbin that seemed destined for the corner.
Shortly after, the Liverpool goalkeeper was again pivotal in maintaining a goalless scoreline; Zachary Dearnley was released in behind the visitors' defence, but Firth rushed out in timely fashion and thwarted the eventual finish with a low stop.
Soon the custodian at the other end of the field was tested, and in emphatic fashion too, as Kent's trickery worked freedom for a thunderous left-footer at an angle that took a slight deflection and was only denied by fine reflexes from Dean Henderson.
Canos curled wide of the far post from 20 yards out for the Reds, while the home side's Charlie Scott contrived to send an effort dribbling off target when he was expertly found and ran in one-on-one with Firth.
Substitute Ovie Ejaria pulled a promising opportunity to the right of his intended corner from inside the penalty box, and Chirivella shot straight at the 'keeper after dancing past his marker, meaning the encounter concluded without a goal.
U18s team: Firth, Travis, Hart, Whelan, Polgar (Lewis), Brimmer, Canos, Chirivella, Marsh (Ejaria), Wilson, Kent. Unused substitutes: Wheeler, Nicholas.